High-pressure closure for autoclaves and the like



A. LONG 5 Sheets-s 1 HIGH-PRESSURE CLOSURE FOR AUTOCLAVES AND THE LIKE March 13, 1951 Filed Sept 18, 1946 yglflrox. BY W March 13, 1951 l c. A. LONG 2,545,290

HIGH-PRESSURE CLOSURE FOR AUTOCLAVES AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 18, 1946 '5 Sheets-Sheet 2 [N V EN TOR.

March 13, 1951 c. A. LONG 2,545,290

HIGH-PRESSURE CLOSURE FOR AUTOCLAVES 4mm THE LIKE Filed Sept. 18, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN V EN TOR. x

c. A. LONG 2,545,290

HIGH-PRESSURE CLOSURE FOR AUTOCLAVES AND THE: LIKE March 13, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 18, 1946 /3 m w Z WWW W a d Patented Mar. 13, 1951 HIGH-PRESSURE CLOSURE FOR AUTOCLAVES AND THE LIKE Charles A. Long,

Titusville, Pa.,

assignor to Struthers Wells Corporation, Titusville, Pa., a'

corporation of Maryland Application September 18,1946, Serial'N0.697,634

This invention relates to sealing means which are more particularly intended to close the joint between the body and cover of a vessel in which high pressures are produced for carrying out various kinds of processes, but the invention may also be used Where the sealing of joints subjected to high pressures is necessary.

It is the object of this invention to provide improved sealing means for this purpose which will effectively close the joint between two relatively movable members subjected to extremely high pressures and which are comparatively simple in construction, easily operable and not liable to get out of order.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal section of the body and closure of a vessel which is subjected to high internal pressure and in which the sealing means embodying this invention are incorporated.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary section, On an enlarged scale, showing parts of this vessel and the sealing means which are constructed in accordance with one form of this invention.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of this vessel, partly in section.

Fig. 4 is an elevation of the thrust member viewed from its inner end forming partof the sealing means of this invention.

Fig. 5 is an elevation of the gasket forming part of these sealing means.

Fig. 6 is an elevation viewed from the outer side of one form of equalizing ring forming part of .these sealing means.

Fig. 7 isan elevation viewed from the inside of this equalizing ring.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary circumferential section of the equalizing ring shown inFigs. 6 and 7, taken on line 8-.8, Fig.7.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentaryside this invention.

Figs. 10 and 11 are cross sections, on an enlarged scale, taken on the correspondingly numbered lines in Fig. .7.

. Fig. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view, similar to Fig. 2, but taken through radial slits in th equalizing ring and the bearing ring.

Fig. 13 is an elevation of the bearing rin viewed from its outer side which constitutes a feature of one type of this invention.

Fig. 14 isan elevation of this last mentioned going viewed from the inner side of thesame.

'1 Claims. (01. 220- 39) 2 Figs. 15 and 16 are fragmentary circumferential sections taken on the correspondingly numbered lines in Fig. 14.

Figs. 17 and 18 are cross sections, on an enlarged scale, taken on the correspondingly numbered lines of Fig. 14.

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary longitudinal section of the shell or body and the closure of a high pressure vessel equipped with a modified form of the sealing means embodying this invention.

Figs; 20'and 21 are fragmentary views similar to Fig. 2 showing further modified constructions of the sealing means which are made in accordance with the present invention.

In the following description similar characters of reference indicate like parts in the several figures on the drawings.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and '2, the numeral represents'the shell or body .of a vessel which contains a pressure chamber 3| .in which material under high pressure is to be treated. At its front end this chamber is provided with an inlet opening through which the material is introduced into this chamber and removed therefrom, the bore 32 of 'thisinlet opening being cylindrical and practically an outward continuation of theinner side of the pressure chamber. This opening is adapted to be closed by a cover or closure head 33 which is movable shown in Figs. 1-18, are constructed asfollowsi ',The numeral 35 represents a longitudinally outward facing shoulder formed on the shell or body oflthe vesseliaround the cylindrical. ore 32' of the inlet opening; In 'the' form of this shoulder shown in Figs. 1 and Z'the same is flat ..-and'extends radially outward from the frontend of the joint surface 32 and in a plane at right angles to the axis of the inlet opening. I

The closure head is provided at the front or outer end of its peripheral joint surface 34 with a longitudinally outward facing shoulder 36 which is fiat and extends inwardly from this joint surface in a plane at right angles to the axis of the inlet opening. The shoulders 35 and 36 are preferably in line with each other in the assembled operative position of the parts.

At its front end the body or shell of the vessel is provided with "a forwardly projecting tubular neck 31 which surrounds the inlet opening of the pressure chamber and is provided with an internal screw thread 38. Within the neck 37 is arranged a thrust member or main screw nut 39 which is preferably of tubular form and provided with an external screw thread 40 which cooperates with the thread 38 on the body neck so that by turning the nut the same is moved length wise of the axis of the inlet opening of theshell, rotation of this nut being effected by a handle 4| applied to the outer part of the periphery of this nut, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3 or by any other suitable means.

At its inner end the thrust nut or member is provided with an inwardly facing annular supporting shoulder 42 which opposes the outwardly facing annular shoulders 35,36 of the shell and head and crosses the circular joint between the same.

The closure head is provided on its outer side within its annular shoulder 36 with an outward or forwardly projecting neck or stem 53 and is adapted to be drawn longitudinally outward or forwardly by means which may consist, for example, of a plurality of longitudinal tightening bolts 44 connected at their inner or rear ends with the neck of the closure head and passing through the outer part of said thrust member and tightening screw nuts 45 applied to the front ends of said bolts and bearing against the front side of said thrust member. Packing means are interposed between the inwardly facing shoulder 42 of the thrust member and the outwardly facing shoulders 35, 36 of the shell and closure headfor sealing the joint between this shall and head, which packing means embody the present invention and are constructed as follows:

The numeral 46 represents an annular groove which is formed in the inwardly facing shoulder 1 42 of the thrust member 39 and which is rounded or curved so that the same presents a seat which is of concave semi-cylindrical form incross section.

The numeral which, is semi-cylindrical. in cross section and provides a convexly rounded outer side 48 anda fiat inner side 49. The outer side 48 of the equalizing ring slidably engages the rounded 'seat 46 of the thrust member 39 so that this ring can rock transversely in the groove of the thrust member throughout its entire. circum .ference by pressure. applied to the inner and outer circular edge parts of this ring at which time the parts of this ringturn about a theoretical circular axis located on the inner'side of this equalizing ring between its inner and outer circular edge portions. Such rocking or turningof the equalizing ringis possible by making the same of steel having the required flexibility and capable of receiving torque strains.

In order to increase the flexibility and torque action of the equalizing ring and also permit of deforming the same the requisite extentwhen subjected to preponderating outward. pressure against either its inner or its outer circular edge this equalizingring is provided with a plurality ofradial slits 50, which are arranged at intervals in a. circumferential row on the equalizing ring and extend axially inwardly from the convex outer side of this ring andterminate short of the flat inner side, thereof. I The numeral 5| representsa bearing ring provided with a flat outer side 52. which slidingly engages with the flat inner side 49 of the equal- 41 represents an equalizing ring 1 izing ring and isprovided on its inner side adjacent to its inner circular edge with an annular bead 53 of small diameter and adjacent to its outer circular edge with an annular bead 54 of large diameter, said beads being concentric and of rounded form in cross section.

This bearing ring is adapted to rock transversely throughout all of its circumferential parts in unison with the rocking equalizing ring against which it rests for which purpose the bearing ring is made of steel having the requisite flexibility to permit of imparting to it the required torque or deformation as the bearing ring conforms its rocking action to that of the equalizing ring.

In order to increase the flexibility of the bearing ring the-same is provided with a plurality of radial slits 55 which are arranged at intervals in a circumferential row. on the bearing ring and extend axially outwardly from the inner beaded side of this ring and terminate short of the outer fiat side thereof.

The numeral 58 represents a packing ring or gasket having the form of a ring which is fiat on its opposite sides and made of copper, Monel metal or like soft metal or material which is capable of deformation under pressure. This gasket extends radially across the outer end of the joint between the cylindrical periphery 34 of the closure head and the bore of the inlet opening of the wall or shell of the pressure vessel. The circumferential outeredge portions of this gasket is interposed between the outwardly facing shoulder 35 of the shell and the large diameter bead 54 of the bearing ring and the inner edge portion of the gasket is interposed between the outwardly facing shoulder 36 of the closure head 33 and the smallbead 53 of the bearing ring, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, thereby cutting off communication between the interior of the pressure chamber and the exterior of the apparatus.

For the purpose of closing the inlet of the pressure chamber preparatory to subjecting the material therein to high pressure the several parts of the closure means are assembled and operated as follows:

The several members of the packings, the closure head and thrust nut or member are first loosely assembled and in this condition the head is introduced into the inlet opening of the pressure chamber and'the thrust member or main 'nut is screwed into the neck of the shell by means of the handle ll until the outwardly facing shoulder 36 of the closure head or cover is slightly inward from the outwardly facing shoulder 35 of the shell. After these parts reach this position the thrust member or main screw nut 39 is screwed inwardly on the neck of the shell so that its pressure is transmitted through the equalizing ring and bearing ring against the outer circular edge portion or" the gasket or packing ring and cause the latter to'bear tightly against the outwardl facing shoulder 35 of the shell, thereby sealing and effectively closing the passage way from the inlet opening of the shell pressure will-move inwardly to an appreciable extent, thereby causing the equalizing ring to turn transversely the requisite extent together with the bearing ring resting against the equalizing ring .about the theoretical axis arranged inwardly from the flat inner side of the equalizing rin thereby causing the convex outer side 48 of the equalizing ring to slide transversely inward on the concave seat 46 of the thrust member and thus adapt the position of the equalizing and bearing rings in accordance with the pressure exerted against them by the thrust member.

Thereafter the screw nuts 45 of the tightening bolts 44 are turned so as to draw the outwardly facing shoulder 36 of the closure head firmly against the inner circular edge portion of the gasket or packing ring 56, whereby the inner circular edge portions of the bearing and equalizing rings are moved outwardly and the outer circular edge portions of these rings are moved inwardly. During this action the bearing and equalizing rings turn transversely of the theoretical axis adjacent .to the inner flat .side of the equalizing ring and the convex outer side of the latter slides on the concave face of the annular groove on the inner end of the thrust member, thereby pressing the inner circular edge portion of the gasket ring against the outwardly facing shoulder 36 of the' head or cover and tightly closing the passageway from the outer end of the joint between the shell and head to the exterior of the apparatus byway of the space between the neck of the closure head and the bore of the thrust nut.

It will thus be noted that by these means the. gasket is first firmly gripped at its outer circular edge between the shell and the thrust member and the gasket is firmly gripped at its inner circular edge between the thrust member and the closure head,thereby providing .a seal for the inlet opening of .the pressure chamber which permits of extremely high pressures in the pressure chamber without liability of leakage to the atmosphere.

Inasmuch as the inner circular edge portion of the bearing ring is nearer the longitudinal central axis of the shell 30 and the closure head 33 than the circular outer edge portion of this ring, the leverage or pressure which is exerted by this outer edge portion against the outer circular edge portion of the gasket would be greater than the leverage or pressure of the .inner edge portion of the bearing ring against the corresponding edge portion of the gasket, if no provision were made to balance or equalize these pressures. This is accomplished in the present case by arranging the inner or small bead 53 of the bearing ring a short distance radially outward away from a line on which the axis of the convex surface 48 of the equalizing ring is arrangedand also arranging the large outer bead 54 of the bearing ring ashort distance radially inward closer to this axis. In this manner the center line 51 of the bearing ring between its inner and outer beads 53, c is offset inwardly relative to the radial line 58 of the equalizing ring on which the axis of its transverse rocking action is located, as shown in Fig. 2, thereby causing the inner and outer beads of the bearing ring tn exert the same pressure against the inner and outer'circular edge portions of the gasket, wherebythesealing effect of the gasket against the outwardly facing shoulders of the shell and the closure will be balanced and produce auniform operation ofthegasket at both ofllits circular edges.-- order to.. prevent an appreciable -difr;

ference in the torque or transverse rocking ac tion of one of the circumferential parts of the bearing ring and the equalizing ring as compared with another part of the same, means are provided for limiting the rocking action of the bearing ring and equalizing ring throughout its circumference. This may be accomplished by making the bearing ring wider than the inner face of the equalizing ring so that the inner and outer circular edge parts of the bearing ring projects beyond the corresponding edge parts of the equalizing ring and thereby form inner and outer stops E6 on the bearing ring which face the inner and outer parts of the inwardly facing shoulder 42 on the thrust member or main nut, as shown in Fig. 2. If an excessive rocking or torque action should take place in any part of the bearing ring and the equalizing ring in either direction crosswise of these members when tightening the sealing means either of the stops 59 or 58 will engage with the opposing part of the inwardly facing shoulder 42 of the thrust member and thereby limit such torque action in one part of the bearing ring and equalizing ring. and cause such torque action to be distributed throughout the circumferential parts of both of these rings.

The modified form of this invention shown in Fig. 19is constructed as follows:

Outward movement of the closure head 33 in the construction shown in Fig. 19 is effected by a tightening screw nut 6 IV working on the threaded outer end of the neck 52 of this head and engaging with the outer end of the tubular thrust memberor main .nut 53.

In this construction the outwardly facing shoulders on the shell and closure head arranged on opposite sides of the joint between them are provided, respectively, with annular beads 64, 55 and these are engaged directly by the circular inner and outer edge portions of the fiat front side of an equalizing ring E6, the convex outer side 6'! of which engages rockably or slidingly with a curved seat 68 formed by the bottom of a concave groove in the inwardly facing shoulder on the inner end of the thrust member 63.

In this construction the equalizing ring 66 forms the sole packing element between the respective shoulders of the shell, closure head and thrust member and this equalizing ring is adapted to be first tilted in one direction by the pressure .of the thrust ring while the outer circular edge portion of this equalizing ring bears inwardly against the bead of the shell and then this equalizing ring is tilted in the opposite direction :by the outward pressure of the bead 64 of the closure head against the inner circular edgeiportion of this equalizing ring.

Rocking motion in this form of the equalizing ringon' the thrust member is limited .by stops 69, 1f) formed integrally on the inner and outer circular edge portions of the equalizing ring as shown in Fig. 19, and adapted'to engage with the inner end of the thrust member 63 on opposite sides of the equalizing ring which is rockably seate'dthereon.

If desired the equalizing ring may bemade of kidney-shape in cross section, as shown at H in Fig. '20, in which case the convex outer side 1210f this ring is rockably seated in a concavely curved groove 13 on the inner edge .of the thrust mem ber 74 and the annular beads 15, 16 on the inner andouter edge portions oftheinnerside of this "75 ringkmay eithenengage ldirectlyflwithzthe: out-i wardly facing shoulders 11, 18 on the closure head and shell on opposite sides of the joint between them, or as shown in Fig. 20, a packing gasket [9 may be additionally employed in which case the gasket crosses the outer end of the joint between the shoulders 11, I8 and the circular inner and outer edge portions of the gasket are interposed, respectively between the shoulders 11, I8 of the closure head and the shell and the beads 15, it of the kidney-shaped equalizing ring.

In another form of this invention shown in Fig. 21 the rockable cooperating curved surfaces of the thrust member and the equalizing ring are reversed and in this case the inner end of the thrust member 38 is provided with a convex seat M which is engaged by'a concave seat 82 on an equalizing ring 83. The outwardly facing shoulders on the shell and closure member in Fig. 21 are provided, respectively, with'rounded beads as, '85 and the joint between them is crossed at its outer end by a gasket 86 the outer and inner edge portions of which are gripped, respectively, between these beads and the flat inner side of the equalizing ring 83.

The various forms of the invention herein set forth can be conveniently and readily handled and permit of securely sealing the joint between the shell and closure member so that the same is not liable to leak under the highest pressure that may be imposed, on the same.

The cooperating surfaces of the thrust member and the equalizing ring in the several forms of this invention are preferably lubricated so as to permit the equalizing ring to rock freely on the thrust member. This may be accomplished in various ways, for example, by means of one or more lubricating valves 88 mounted on the front or outer side of the thrust member, as shown in Figs: 1 and 3fand a duct 8'! extending from each of these valves to the curved seat at the inner end of the thrust member which is engaged by the curved face of the respective equalizing ring.

if claim as my invention:

1. Sealing means for closing the joint between the shell andco-ver of a container in which the shell has an opening surrounded by an outwardly facing internal shoulder and the cover is arranged'in'said opening and has an outwardly facing external'shoulder adjacent to said internal shoulder, said sealing means comprising a unitary annular thrust member adjustably connected with said shell so as to be movable axially thereof and having its inner end extending across said internal and external shoulders and provided with an annular seat which is rounded in cross section, and an equalizing ring having a rounded outer side engaging said rounded seat and a fiat inner side facing said internal andexternal shoulders and extending across the joint between the same.

2. Sealing means for closing the joint between the shell'and cover of a container in which the shell has an opening surrounded by an outwardly facing internal shoulder and the cover is arranged in said opening and has an outwardly facing external shoulder adjacent to said internal shoulder, said sealing means comprising a unitary; annular thrust member adjustably connected with said shell so as to be movable axially thereof and having its inner end extending across said internal and external shoulders and provided with an annular seat which is rounded in cross section, an equalizing ring having a rounded outer side engaging said rounded seat and a fiat inner side facing" said. internal and external shoulders and extending across'the joint between the same;

and a bearing ring interposed between the flat: inner side of said equalizing ring and the out-* wardly facing shoulders of said shell and cover.

3. Sealing means for closing the joint between the shell and cover of a container in which the shell has an opening surrounded by an outwardly facing internal shoulder and the cover is arranged in said opening and has an outwardly facing ex-:'

ternal shoulder adjacent to said internal shoul-.

der, said sealing means comprising a unitary:

annular thrust member adjustably connected with said shell so as to be movable axially there-; of and having its inner end extending across said:

shoulders and extending across the joint between}. the same, a bearing ring interposed between the flat inner side of said equalizing ring and the outwardly facing shoulders of said shell and cover,-

and a packing ring engaging its outer side with the inner side of said bearing ring and engaging its inner side with the outwardly facing shoulders of said shell and cover.

4. Sealing means for closing the joint between the shell and cover of a container in which the shell has an opening surrounded by an outwardly facing annular internal shoulder and the cover-is, arranged in said opening and has a outwardly facing annular external shoulder adjacent to said' internal shoulder, said sealing means including a 1 tubular thrust'member surrounding said cover and having a screw connection withrsaid shell,

and provided at its inner end with an annular; groove which is of semi-cylindrical form in cross section, an equalizing ring having an outer convex face of semi-cylindrical form in cross section. seated in said groove on the thrust member, andpa'cking means interposed between the inner side of said equalizing ring and said shoulders and extending across the joint between the same. 5. Sealing means for closing the joint between the shell and cover of a container in which the shell has an opening surrounded by an outwardly facing annular internal shoulder and the cover is arrangedin said opening and has an outwardly facing annular external shoulder adjacent to said internal shoulder, said sealing means including a tubular thrust member surrounding said cover and having a screw connection with said shell and provided at its inner end with an annular groove which is of semi-cylindrical form in cross section, an equalizing ring having an outer convex face of semi-cylindrical form in cross section seated in said groove on the thrust member, and packing means interposed between the inner side of said equalizing ring' and said shoulders and ex: tending across the joint between the same, said packing means including a bearing ring engaging its outer side with said equalizing ring and pro-' vided on'its inner side adjacent its inner and outer circumferential edges with inwardly pro jecting inner and outer annular beads which re-.- spectively oppose the shoulders of said cover and shell. I

6. Sealing means for closing the joint between the shell and cover ofa container in which the shell has an opening surrounded by an outwardly facing annular internal shoulder and the cover is arranged in said opening and has an outwardly facing. annular external shoulder adjacent to said internal. shoulder, said sealing. means. including a 9 tubular thrust member surrounding said cover and having a screw connection with said shell and provided at its inner end with an annular groove which is of semi-cylindrical form in cross section, an equalizing ring having an outer convex face of semi-cylindrical form'in cross section seated in said groove on the thrust member, and packing means interposed between the inner side of said equalizing ring and said shoulders and extending across the joint between the same, said packing means including a bearing ring engaging its outer side with said equalizing ring and provided on its inner side adjacent its inner and outer circumferential edges with inwardly projecting inner and outer annular beads which respectively oppose the shoulders of said cover and shell and the outer bead of said bearing ring be-- ing arranged a lesser distance outwardly from the center of the convex face of said equalizing ring than the distance of the inner bead inwardly from said center.

7. Sealing means for closing the joint between the shell and cover of a container in which the shell has an opening surrounded by an outwardly facing internal shoulder and the cover is arranged in said opening and has an outwardly facing external shoulder adjacent to said internal shoulder, said sealing means comprising a tubular thrust member surrounding the outer part of said cover and having a screw connection with said shell and provided at its inner end with an inwardly facing annular groove which is of concave form in cross section, an equalizing ring encircling said cover and having an annular outwardly facing bearing face which is of convex form in cross section and rockably engages said inwardly facing groove, a bearing ring engaging its outer side with the inner side of said equalizing ring and provided on its inner side with an inner annular bead of small diameter arranged in line with the outwardly facing shoulder of said cover and an outer annular bead of large diameter arranged in line with the outwardly facing shoulder of said shell, and a gasket ring extending across the joint between said shoulders and having its inner edge portion interposed between the outwardly facing shoulder of the cover and the bead of small diameter on said bearing ring and having its outer edge portion interposed between the outwardly facing shoulder of the shell and the bead of large diameter on said bearing ring, the axis about which the equalizing ring rocks on said thrust member being located outwardly from the center between said small and large diameter beads so that the pressure of the inner and outer parts of said bearing ring against the corresponding parts of the gasket ring is equalized. 7

CHARLES A. LONG.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 983,565 Pierson Feb. 7, 1911 1,873,825 Davis Aug. 23, 1932 2,203,364 Rathbun June 4, 1940 2,257,213 Wolfrom ,Sept. 30, 1941 2,330,220 Kemper Sept. 28, 1943 2,363,526 Hobbs Nov. 28, 1944 

